The Southwest community is pleased to welcome a new community organizer with the Free Library of Philadelphia. Robinette Jones will be engaging with the community, and reaching out to community and business leaders to rally around the library. Jones’ goal for her time in the position is to increase engagement in the community and generate excitement and foot traffic in the library.
Jones was working as a DJ in Brooklyn, New York when she decided she wanted to become a homeowner. But, with New York’s competitive and expensive housing market, she was left with few options. She soon looked at Philadelphia for affordable housing programs and received a grant to purchase her first home in Kingsessing. Some of her favorite things about the Southwest community are her neighbors, the Kingsessing Recreation Center, riding on the trolley, the walkability, and community events.
As the pandemic receded, Jones decided to make a career change and wanted to get more involved with the community. She looked for roles working with immigrants, in rec centers and libraries before landing her role as Community Organizer at the Free Library of Philadelphia. She was drawn to the position because it was funded by the Knights Foundation and the organization is interested in funding projects that focus on technology and bridging the literacy gap. Jones was interested in the technology aspect of Community Organizer positions because when Paschalville Library is renovated she wants to make sure equipment that is brought into the library is what the community wants and needs.
